Bullying and discrimination

Perhaps you’ve already been the target or witness of a situation where another person has been bullied because of their appearance, weight, gender expression, origin or physical or intellectual disability? The differences that surround us are a precious source of richness, cultural diversity and varied perspectives, but unfortunately they sometimes remain the target of intimidating or discriminatory behavior. In any case, remember that this type of experience can have harmful consequences on mental health and it’s important to act quickly.

What is bullying?

Bullying is a repetitive behaviour (gesture or word), adopted in person or online, that aims to frighten, humiliate or hurt someone in order to establish a relationship of power. Different forms of bullying can occur in any environment, including school.

• Verbal bullying: Using hurtful language to gain power over another person. This includes insults or bad jokes intended to diminish or embarrass another person, such as comments about their clothing, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs.
• Social bullying: Social bullying is when someone tries to embarrass another in front of people to lower their social status, whether by spreading rumours, or by turning other members of a group against the victim.
• Cyberbullying: Cyberbullying involves using text messages, social media, or technology to hurt or threaten someone. This can include insulting or spreading rumours about someone online, sharing photos without their consent or pretending to be someone else to get personal information and put them down. It’s important to remember that private and public sharing allows information to remain on the Web even after the bullying period. This can lead to an invasion of privacy and a strong sense of injustice and powerlessness.
• Physical violence: Physical violence refers to physical contact intended to injure someone or cause them physical suffering or bodily harm. Hitting, pushing, shoving or spitting on another person, with the aim of frightening them or gaining power over them, are examples of physical violence.

What is discrimination?

Discrimination is when individuals are treated differently or berated because of their physical or socio-cultural characteristics, such as age, race, culture, religion, lifestyle, gender, sexual orientation, physical handicap, etc. Discrimination is generally fuelled by stereotypes and prejudice. In Quebec, all forms of discrimination, whether intentional or unintentional, are prohibited by the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. Three forms of discrimination can occur.

• Direct discrimination is carried out openly and overtly. For example: refusing to rent an apartment to an international student because of their origin.
• Indirect discrimination occurs when a seemingly neutral rule, standard, policy, or practice applies equally to all people, but significantly disadvantages one person (or group) because of individual characteristics. This type of discrimination is more subtle, and sometimes the person or organization applying such a rule does not intend to discriminate, but it is discrimination all the same. For example: a group frequently organizes social activities that require significant expenditure and are not financially accessible to everyone.
• Systemic discrimination refers to inequalities deeply rooted in a society’s institutions, laws, policies or social practices. It is not necessarily the result of intentional individual acts, but rather of structural mechanisms that favor certain groups over others, often on the basis of criteria such as race, gender, social class or ethnic origin. For example: the under-representation of women and black people in certain sectors of employment and in managerial and executive positions.

What is microagressions?

Microaggressions arise from discriminatory or intimidating acts or exchanges (e.g., remarks, jokes, or intimidating questions) that are based on automatic, non-conscious prejudices. These behaviours may occur without malicious intent but are no less hurtful to the other person on the receiving end. Produced repeatedly, microaggressions can induce feelings of rejection, anger, and grief, and can eventually lead to the development of a mental health disorder. 

THE Effects on mental health

Bullying, discrimination and microaggressions, regardless of their form, extent or duration, can have harmful psychological consequences for the victim. Each person will respond differently to the situation, and will have to deal with significant psychological consequences.

This type of situation can even leave invisible scars: traumas. Trauma is an emotional response to an experience or series of events. This state can lead to insecurity, distress and fear. There are different levels of trauma, ranging from acute stress linked to a single major event, to complex trauma following repeated exposure to traumatic events.

Would you like to reflect on your own behavior?

If you recognize yourself in any of the bullying or discriminatory behaviours or actions listed in this article, or if you’d like to start thinking about them, this is the first step. Here are a few tools to help you enrich your reflection, learn more about what constitutes a microaggression, and eventually acknowledge your wrongdoing and, if necessary, apologize to those who have been hurt.

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Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse. (2023) La discrimination

Éducaloi. L’intimidation : la reconnaître et agir

Éducaloi. Cyberintimidation : les gestes interdits

Gouvernement du Québec. (2023) Intimidation 

Jeunesse j’écoute. (2022) Qu’est-ce qu’un traumatisme et comment y faire face ?

Illustration : Mario Fontaine

Contribution to the article :

• Lysa-Marie Hontoy, psychologist
• France Landy, psychologist
• Isabelle Queval, psychologist